There are many different flowers, herbs and spices you can use to infuse alcohol or soft drinks, but elderflower has to be our favourite.

Elderflower cordial is made from the elderberry plant, mixed with sugar and water. Elderflower dates back to the Roman times when they acquired a taste for the sweet and delicate drink.

Elderflowers are coming back into season and grow in most of Europe and Africa. The cream flowers smell like honey and are crisp and juicy, highlighting the aromatic scent and flavour of the plant.

To make a cordial, the elderflower heads are steeped in a concentrated sugar solution and then removed and replaced with lemon juice to help preserve the cordial. The mixture is then covered and left to infuse.

You can buy the cordial from most supermarkets and you can simply add it to fizzy water or mix a little in a glass of champagne, wine or beer. The taste is sweet and delicate and adds something special to your beverage.

You can make your own wine, cider or beer at home with Kilner’s 4-week wine making kits, or bitter, beer and cider brewing kits, which will allow you to add the elderflower easily and let it infuse during the process.